Do not ignore plight of flood victims, says Muhyiddin

MUAR: Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has called on the Kedah PAS government not to ignore the plight of flood victims, saying the state should also be responsible in providing assistance.

The state government, said, should coordinate well in channelling aid and assistance, including clean water, to those affected.

“They should not leave everything to the federal government, especially in the event of a major calamity.

“For instance, there are aspects such as the provision of water supply which are under the state’s jurisdiction,” he told reporters after opening the Johor region’s Community College entrepreneurship programme in Pagoh, here Saturday.

Over 33,000 people are still in evacuation centres in Kedah due to the floods. More than 40,000 people were evacuated at the height of the calamity two days ago. Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung, who is Alor Setar member of parliament, said the state PAS government lacked preparedness in handling the disaster.

Muhyiddin said he would visit Kedah on Sunday to look into ways to help the victims who were badly affected by the flood.

He said it was important for all aid and food supplies to reach the victims fast and to ensure the necessary logistics were in place to provide help and assistance to the victims.

On Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examination, Muhyiddin who is also Education Minister said the ministry was still keeping to the preparation it had made earlier as the examination would only start in two weeks time.

“We hope that the floods subside by then and that there will be no second wave. However, we are keeping to our preparations,” he added.